Shankar Mahadevan

Biography

Shankar Mahadevan (born 3 March 1967) is an Indian singer and composer who is part of the Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy trio that makes music for Indian films. In 2023, he was awarded an honorary doctorate (honoris causa degree) by Birmingham City University.

Early and personal life

Shankar Mahadevan was born in Chembur, Mumbai into a Tamil Iyer Brahmin family originally from Palakkad, Kerala. He learned Hindustani classical and Carnatic music as a child and began playing the veena at the age of five under Shri Lalitha Venkataraman. Mahadevan studied music under Pandit Shrinivas Khale and T.R. Balamani.
He is an alumnus of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour High School, Chembur and graduated in 1988 with a degree in Computer Science and Software Engineering from the Ramrao Adik Institute of Technology in Navi Mumbai, affiliated with Mumbai University, and was a software engineer for the company Leading Edge. After working for Leading Edge Systems (now Trigyn Technologies Limited), Mahadevan ventured into music.
He has two sons, Siddharth Mahadevan and Shivam Mahadevan, both of whom are singers.

Musical career

Mahadevan got early fame as an Indi-pop star with his fusion of Carnatic, Hindustani, and jazz. He earned his first award as a playback singer in a Tamil movie, collaborating with A. R. Rahman and winning a National Film Award for his song in Kandukondain Kandukondain. At that time, his debut non-film album, Breathless×Breathless1998 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 8 tracks1Breathless3:032Tu Pass Hai6:183Tere Khayalon Se5:344Mano Ya Na Mano5:295Jaane Kya Hua6:116Koi Hahin Hai5:207Ghul Raha Hai Sara Manzar6:028Breathless (The Reprise)2:56 released and topped the Indian music charts in 1998. He won one Grammy Award and received three nominations. Mahadevan has composed songs in the Hindi film music industry as part of the trio Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy, since 1999. In 2019, he was felicitated with the Padma Shri Award for his contribution to film music.
He has remained active in music. In 2024, he also contributed vocals to the stage production Humare Ram. The production was produced by Rahul Bhuchar.

Awards and honors

2000: National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer – "Yenna Solla Pogirai" (Kandukondain Kandukondain)
2006: Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer – Telugu – "Chandrullo" (Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana)
2007: Swaralaya-Kairali-Yesudas Award for outstanding contribution to Indian film music
2007: National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer – "Maa" (Taare Zameen Par)
2008: Kerala State Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer – "Kalyana Kacheri" (Madampi)
2009: Asianet Film Award for Best Male Playback – "Pichavecha Naal" (Puthiya Mukham)
2009: Annual Malayalam Movie Awards (Dubai) for Best Male Singer – "Pichavecha Naal" (Puthiya Mukham)
2011: Lata Mangeshkar Award by Government of Andhra Pradesh
2011: Kerala Film Critics Award for Best Male Playback Singer – "Indhumukhi Varumo" (Holidays)
2012: MAA Music Award for Best Male Playback Singer – "Nee Dookudu" (Dookudu)
2012: National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer – "Bolo Na" (Chittagong)
2015: Tulu Cinemotsava Awards for Best Playback Singer – Rikshaw Driver (Tulu Movie)
2019: Padma Shri Award for his contributions to film music under the category Arts.
2023: Awarded an honorary doctorate (honoris causa degree) by Birmingham City University.
2024: Grammy Award for Best Global Music Album for This Moment as a member of Shakti.
2026: Grammy Awards nominations for the album Mind Explosion (50th Anniversary Tour Live) in the Best Global Music Album category and Shrini's Dream (Live) in the Best Global Music Performance category.

As actor

Aranmanai 3 (2021) Tamil – guest appearance in song "Theeyaga Thondarihvn
Katyar Kaljat Ghusali (2015)
Rhythm (2000) Tamil – guest appearance in song "Thaniye"
Ek Se Badkar Ek (1995)

Television

Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li'l Champs (2022) as a judge
Sa Re Ga Ma Pa: Sapnon Ki Shuruwaat as a judge
Taare Zameen Par as a judge
Rising Star Live on Colors as a judge
Indian Voice on Mazhavil Manorama as a judge
Super Singer 6 & Super Singer 7 as a special guest on Star Vijay
Vijay Star Nite as a performer on Star Vijay
Super Singer Junior seasons 6 & 7 on Star Vijay as a judge
Super Singer Champion of Champions on Star Vijay as a judge
Super Singer 8 as a performer & judge on the Grand Launch Episode on Star Vijay
Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Hindi (2012) as a judge and mentor
Music ka Maha Muqqabla as a contestant-captain of Shankar's Rockstars
Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge (2009), as a judge and mentor

Shankar Mahadevan Academy

The Shankar Mahadevan Academy is a music academy founded by composer and singer Shankar Mahadevan along with Sridhar Ranganathan Founder and CEO of Cloodon- Personalized Learning Platform.